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Royal Hawaiian, Oahu

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Hawaii

Updated 1 October 2026 · 17 things to do

Pictured: Royal Hawaiian

Hawaii isn't one place but four very different ones. Oahu has the city, Waikiki and the surf. Maui has the road to Hana and a volcano crater above the clouds. The Big Island has lava, black-sand beaches and some of the clearest night skies on earth. Kauai is the green, wild one, with cliffs that look like film sets.

Most visitors pick two islands rather than four, and give each at least four days. Hire a car on Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, take sunscreen and a rain jacket, and treat the land with respect. The islands are home to a living Native Hawaiian culture, and the best visitors act accordingly.

Don't miss

  1. 1Pearl Harbor
  2. 2Diamond Head
  3. 3Haleakalā
  4. 4Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
  5. 5The Nā Pali Coast

Oahu

The big city, the big surf and the big history.

  1. Pearl Harbor

    Landmark

    The white USS Arizona Memorial over the sunken battleship at Pearl Harbor
    Photo: Reweaver33, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The site of the 1941 attack that brought the United States into the Second World War. A short boat ride leads to the USS Arizona Memorial, a white structure floating above the sunken battleship, and the Battleship Missouri and the submarine Bowfin are nearby. It's quiet, moving and essential.

    Tip: Reserve tickets in advance, and arrive early in the day.

  2. Diamond Head

    Nature

    Inside the Diamond Head crater above Honolulu
    Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The extinct volcanic crater that dominates Waikiki's skyline, climbed by a short but steep trail with tunnels and stairs that ends at a lookout over the coast. The view back across Waikiki and the sea is the reward.

    Go early, wear sturdy shoes and carry water.

    Tip: Check the entry arrangements before you go, as reservations are often needed.

  3. Waikiki Beach

    Beach

    Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head beyond
    Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A long, gentle crescent of sand backed by high-rises, with Diamond Head at one end. The waves are small and friendly, which makes it the place to try a first surf lesson or an outrigger canoe ride. It's lively, busy and very Hawaiian.

  4. Hanauma Bay

    Nature

    The curved turquoise bay at Hanauma Bay on Oahu
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A protected, horseshoe-shaped bay in a volcanic crater, long popular for snorkelling among coral and tropical fish. It's a nature preserve, so visits are managed: you watch a short film about caring for the reef before heading down to the water.

    Tip: Book your visit ahead, and use reef-safe sunscreen.

  5. The North Shore

    Beach

    In winter, giant swells roll onto Oahu's north coast, and surfers flock to famous breaks such as Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline. In summer, the same beaches are calm and swimmable. Roadside stands sell fresh fruit and shrimp trucks serve garlicky plates.

  6. Iolani Palace

    Landmark

    The only royal palace in the United States, built by King Kalākaua in the 1880s in downtown Honolulu. Tours take you through the throne room and the rooms where Queen Liliʻuokalani was later held, telling the story of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Maui

  1. Haleakalā

    Nature

    The red and orange cinder cones in Haleakalā crater
    Photo: Christoph Strässler, CC BY-SA 2.0

    A huge dormant volcano rising above Maui, where the crater's red and orange landscape feels like another planet. Many visitors drive up before dawn to watch the sunrise above the clouds, wrapped in blankets and silence.

    Tip: It is cold at the summit, so bring warm layers, and check whether a reservation is needed for sunrise.

  2. The Road to Hana

    Activity

    The winding Hana Highway through the rainforest on Maui
    Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0

    A famously winding coastal road with more than 600 curves and dozens of one-lane bridges, passing waterfalls, rainforest and black-sand beaches. It's about the journey, not the destination. Leave early, go slowly and pull over often.

  3. Kaanapali Beach

    Beach

    A long stretch of golden sand on Maui's west coast, lined with resorts and a beachfront walkway. Good for swimming and sunsets, with snorkelling near the rocky outcrop at Black Rock.

The Big Island

  1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

    Nature

    Kīlauea Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
    Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0

    Home to Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, the park has steaming vents, vast craters and lava tubes you can walk through. Eruption activity comes and goes, so check the park's updates, but the landscape is extraordinary regardless.

    Come at dusk if you can. If there's a glow, you'll never forget it.

    Tip: Check current conditions and any closures on the park website before you go.

  2. Mauna Kea stargazing

    Nature

    Observatory telescopes near the summit of Mauna Kea
    Photo: Generic1139, CC BY 4.0

    At nearly 4,200 metres, this dormant volcano is one of the best places on earth to see the night sky, and home to some of the world's major observatories. Tours and the visitor centre offer stargazing with telescopes.

    Tip: Altitude can cause sickness, so go slowly and follow the guidance at the visitor centre.

Kauai

  1. The Nā Pali Coast

    Nature

    Green cliffs and beaches along the Nā Pali Coast on Kauai
    Photo: Dcrjsr, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Emerald cliffs plunging hundreds of metres into the Pacific along Kauai's north-west shore, with no road and no way in but by boat, helicopter or a demanding trail. A boat trip along the coast gives you a view of the sea caves and waterfalls.

  2. Waimea Canyon

    Nature

    The red walls and green ridges of Waimea Canyon on Kauai
    Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, a vast gorge of red rock and green ridges on Kauai's west side. Drive up to the lookouts at Waimea Canyon State Park for the views, and keep going to Kōkeʻe State Park for the Kalalau Valley lookout.

  3. Poipu Beach

    Beach

    Aerial view of Poipu Beach Park on Kauai
    Photo: Polihale, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A calm, golden beach on Kauai's sunny south shore with gentle waves, good snorkelling and a sheltered pool for children. Hawaiian monk seals sometimes haul out to rest on the sand, and should always be given plenty of space.

Eat and drink

  1. Poke

    Food

    Cubes of fresh raw fish, usually ahi tuna, dressed with soy sauce, sesame oil, onion and seaweed. Buy a tub from a supermarket counter or a roadside stand and eat it on the beach.

  2. Shave ice

    Food

    A cone of Hawaiian shave ice from Matsumoto's in Haleiwa
    Photo: Anthony Quintano from Honolulu, HI, United States, CC BY 2.0

    Not a snow cone. Hawaiian shave ice is shaved so finely that it's like fluffy snow, soaked in bright fruit syrups, often over ice cream and sweet azuki beans. Pick a flavour or three and eat fast, because the Hawaiian sun isn't patient.

  3. Plate lunch

    Food

    The islands' favourite takeaway: a hearty plate of meat or fish, two scoops of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. Look for chicken katsu, kalua pork or a loco moco, rice topped with a burger patty, egg and gravy.

Where to stay in Oahu

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Hawaii →

Getting around

Inter-island flights are short and frequent. On Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, you'll want a hire car, as sights are spread out. On Oahu you can manage Waikiki and Honolulu without one, with buses and ride-hail, but a car helps for the North Shore.

When to go

Hawaii is warm all year. Summer is hot and dry, with calm seas on the north shores. Winter, from November to March, brings big surf in the north, more rain and humpback whales offshore. Spring and autumn are quieter, and often the best value.

Questions about visiting Oahu

What is Hawaii best known for?
Its beaches and surf, volcanoes such as Kīlauea and Haleakalā, Pearl Harbor, dramatic scenery on Kauai and a unique mix of Polynesian and American culture.
Which Hawaiian island is best for a first visit?
Oahu is the easiest, with Honolulu, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor. Maui is the most popular for beaches and scenery, and many first-timers combine the two.
How many days do you need in Hawaii?
Ten days to two weeks lets you enjoy two islands without rushing. A week is enough for one island and a taste of another.
Do you need a car in Hawaii?
On Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, yes, because the sights are spread out. On Oahu you can do without in Waikiki and Honolulu, but you'll want one for the North Shore.

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